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Griffin Family History | Find Genealogy Records & Family Crest

Griffin Genealogy & History

Griffin is an English, Irish, and Welsh surname, with different but related origins in each case. For Welsh, it comes from the Old Welsh "Gruffydd", meaning dragon-lord; with English, it's the High German "grifan", which means to snatch, as a dragon was thought to do. As an Irish name, it descends from "O'Griobhtha", meaning son of the griffin. In any case, the first recorded incident of Griffin family history is Robert Griffin, on the Pipe Rolls of Warwickshire in 1130. Griffin genealogy includes Union General Charles Griffin, comedian Eddie Griffin, British National Party Chairman Nick Griffin, and television executive/host Merv Griffin.